SA u20, Zambia WC qualifier ends goalless

The South African u20 Women’s National Team, Basetsana, and their counterparts from Zambia played to a goalless draw in a 2016 Papua New Guinea u20 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.

The first leg took place at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday, 27 September.

The match was watched by among others the President of the Football Association of Zambia, the legendary Kalusha Bwalya.

There was not much separating the two sides in the first half, as the match was end-to-end stuff.

The visitors almost found themselves in trouble in the 22nd minute when they failed to clear their lines and were almost punished but defender Chamelle Wiltshire saved the day as she cleared a shot on the line.

But South Africa also had their chances. A ball was floated into the opposition box and Linda Motlhalo did well to chest trap and turn a defender, but an alert Hazel Nali in the Zambia goals stopped her powerful shot.

On the stroke of halftime, Gabriela Selgado was given space and her long-range shot beat the keeper but not the crossbar, and it remained 0-0 at the break.

At the start of the second half Basetsana brought on Mosili Makhoali for Lelona Daweti, while Zambia made a double substitution – Hellen Chanda and Agnes Musase coming on for Rodha Chileshe and Melan Mulenga respectively.

The match degenerated into a physical battle in the second half with Zambia coming out the better of the two sides.

Only a few real chances were created in this stanza.

In the 70th minute, the captain of the home side Barbra Banda dribbled past defenders and unleashed a powerful shot which sailed across the face of goal.

She was back ten minutes later and this time faced with the keeper but her shot was parried for a corner.

Both sides made further changes with Tshwarelo Digaoto and Drishana Pillay coming on for Anelisa Ndyebi and Bongeka Gamede respectively while Maclean Daka took the place of Grace Chanda in the junior She-polopolo side.

But that did not alter the result and it ended goalless at the Nkoloma Stadium.

After the match almost half the SA squad was limping from the challenges.

Basetsana return to South Africa on Monday, 28 September. They are expected to land just after 09h00.

The second leg will be played in a fortnight at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa. Kickoff is at 15h00.